“Democracy is a promise, not a guarantee. It is a promise that each of us, as citizens, makes to one another. To participate. To debate. To vote. We, in the MAKING OUR VOTES COUNT coalition, are determined to engage in this struggle, and we are determined to make democracy work in our city.”

Adapted from “Charting the Health of American Democracy,” published by the League of Women Voters of the United States

On November 3, 1998, District of Columbia Voters will elect a Mayor, a Chair of the Council of the District of Columbia, two At-Large Members of the Council and one Councilmember each from Wards 1,3,5 and 6. Voters will also elect a non-voting Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, five members of the Board of Education, 299 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners and a shadow U.S. Representative. This handbook includes information about the statutory qualifications and responsibilities of the Mayor and District of Columbia Councilmembers as well as specific current responsibilities of key elected and appointed officials. It also provides a complete list of the offices to be filled by the election and key dates.

This handbook was prepared in April, 1998 by MAKING OUR VOTES COUNT FOR A BETTER CITY, a non-partisan coalition project. The purpose of the project is to use the 1998 election to help make District of Columbia voters a force for revitalizing our city government. We intend to do this by informing voters about the responsibilities of the officials they will be electing, challenging candidates with substantive questions that address voters' concerns, and actively encouraging voters to sustain their involvement in the political process beyond the election. We believe the way to make our city government more accountable is to help District voters become better informed about and more engaged in the issues that must be addressed by our elected officials. Our non-partisan, voter and issue-centered project will neither support nor oppose any candidate or political position.

Coalition participants include:

• American Association of Retired Persons
• American Association of University Women, Centennial Chapter
• American Friends Service Committee D.C. Peace and Economic Justice Program
• Church Association for Community Services
• D.C. Federation of Civic Associations
• Federation of Citizens Association of D.C.
• League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia
• Martin Luther King, Jr., D.C. Support Group Inc.
• National Political Congress of Black Women
• Tau Gamma Delta Sorority.

The project’s administrative sponsor is the League of Women Voters of The District of Columbia Education Fund.

Sources from which this handbook was compiled include:

• 1998 District of Columbia Candidate Qualification & Ballot Access Guide
• 1998 District of Columbia Budget and Financial Plan Executive Summary
• Council committee assignments for Period XII per “Council Resolution 12-1, January 2, 1997”
• The District of Columbia Self-government and Reorganization Act of 1973 as Amended or Modified (Home Rule Charter).
• Level I Cabinet Directory (Revised February 17, 1998)

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MAYOR OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Qualifications for Office:

• Be a resident of and eligible to vote in the District.
• Hold no other paid office (public or private) or employment.
• Have resided in the District for one (1) year preceding the election.

Responsibilities of the Office

The responsibilities listed below are from the original Home Rule Charter. Even though they have been temporarily limited by Congressional legislation passed in 1997, it is vital for voters to select a candidate who can carry out these responsibilities effectively, because there's a chance that the temporary limitations will be removed before the end of the next mayoral term. Moreover, during the next mayoral term, 1999 through 2002, District of Columbia taxpayers will spend an estimated $8 million to fund the Office of the Mayor.

The Mayor is the chief executive of the District. Responsibilities are broad and include:

• Administer all laws relating to the appointment, promotion, discipline, separation and other conditions of employment of personnel in the office of the Mayor, in the executive departments of the District, and members of boards, commissions and other agencies.
• Administer the personnel functions of the District, including appointing or dismissing department heads.
• Supervise and direct activities of administrative boards, offices and agencies through respective heads thereof.
• Submit draft acts to the Council.
• Appoint a City Administrator, who serves at the pleasure of the Mayor.
• Propose legislation to the executive or legislative branch of the U.S. Government.
• As custodian of the corporate seal of the District, use and authenticate the seal in accordance with the law.
• Issue and enforce administrative orders.
• Reorganize the executive branch subject to certain requirements related to the Council.
• Coordinate planning activities of the municipal government.
• Prepare the annual budget.
• Discharge the administration of the financial affairs of the District (e.g., provide adequate control of revenues and resources to insure that appropriations are not exceeded; maintain an internal system of accounting and control; supervise assessment of property for taxation as well as levying and collections of taxes, assessments, license fees and other revenues; be responsible for public funds and investments; and apportion appropriated funds within applicable limits.)
• Provide accounting supervision and control (e.g., examine and approve contracts and orders while assuring the required funds have been appropriated and will be available when due and payable, and perform internal audits).
• Approve or veto bills approved by the Council.
• Carry out the laws enacted by the Council of the District as well as those local laws enacted by the Congress.
• Fulfill ceremonial and security functions related to the nation's capital being located in the District.

The Mayor carries out these responsibilities through a network of special assistants, staff offices, boards and commissions, and operating departments and agencies. The functions of the major departments and agencies are described in the section on Operational and Oversight Responsibilities.

The District’s current Mayor, Marion S. Barry, Jr., is serving his fourth term. The Mayor’s telephone number is 727-2980.

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Candidates for Mayor of the District of Columbia

As of April 15, the following mayoral candidates had filed with the Board of Elections and Office of Campaign Finance:

Harold Brazil (Dem.)
Arthur Carlson (Ind.)
Kevin Chavous (Dem.)
Jack Evans (Dem.)
Jeffrey Gilderhorn (Dem.)
Ernest Johnson (Dem.)
David Odell Leacraft (Dem.)
David Patrick Mugan (Rep.)
Osie Thorpe (Dem.)

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COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Qualifications for Chair

• Be a resident of and eligible to vote in the District.
• Hold no other paid public office or other employment.
• Have resided in the District for one (1) year preceding the election.

Qualifications for At-Large Members

• Be a resident of and eligible to vote in the District.
• Have resided in the District for one (1) year preceding the election.

Qualifications for Ward Members

• Be a resident of and eligible to vote in the District.
• Be a resident of the ward.
• Have resided in the District for one (1) year preceding the 1998 election.

General Powers and Responsibilities of the Council: Exercises the legislative power granted by the Home Rule Act.

• Has authority to create, abolish or organize any office, agency department or instrumentality of the government of the District in accordance with the Act.
• May over-turn Mayor's veto of budgetary measures by 2/3rds vote.
• Discharges powers and duties by passing acts and adopting resolutions.
• May call for an advisory referendum vote of the District citizens.
• Directly, or through any committee or person authorized by the Council, conducts investigations of any matter relating to the affairs of the District.
• Authorizes issuance of various types of financial bonds and notes.
• With certain exceptions and conditions, must authorize any contract of more than five years in length.

Specific Powers and Responsibilities of the Council Chair

• Is the presiding officer and chief executive officer of the Council.
• Acts as Mayor when that office is vacant.
• Chairs the Committee of the Whole.
• Serves on the Management Reform Teams created by the 1997 Congressional revitalization legislation.

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Council Powers and Responsibilities Important for Effective Government

Congressional action to address the District's financial and management crisis has not reduced the Council’s Home Rule powers and responsibilities. The Congressional legislation passed in 1995 establishing the Financial Management and Management Assistance Authority or Control Board does, however, add the step of Control Board approval before legislation passed by the Council is sent to Congress for final approval.

The Council’s oversight and confirmation functions can have a significant impact on ensuring that District government programs are carried out efficiently, effectively, honestly and for the purposes intended. In the U.S. Congress as well as most state and local legislatures, budget review is one key element of oversight; in these legislative bodies, however, oversight is not limited to the budget process. Elements of oversight may include public hearings, investigative hearings, use of subpoena powers, periodic audits and performance reviews of agencies and functions. Although the 1973 Home Rule Charter gives the Council subpoena powers, these powers were not used until 1998.

The confirmation process can play a significant role in oversight. Only recently have any Councilmembers voted against confirming officials nominated by the Mayor. No mayoral nominee has ever been turned down by the D.C. Council.

During the next Council period, 1999 through 2002, District of Columbia taxpayers will spend over $34 million to fund the work of the Council. Moreover, during this period, the Council will have oversight responsibility for the spending of over $16 billion D.C. tax dollars.

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Council Organization and Operation

The work of the Council is divided among nine standing committees and the Committee of the Whole. The latter is composed of all Council members and is headed by the Council Chair. In a typical Council period, the Committee of the Whole has oversight over the budget, reapportionment, the comprehensive plan, and matters related to the Board of Zoning Adjustment, the Office of Planning, the Zoning Commission and the Council of Governments. It is also responsible for coordinating Council action on the District operating and capital budgets, for confirming mayoral appointments that require Council confirmation and for Council administration and personnel.

Standing Committee on Local, Regional, and Federal Affairs

The standing Committee on Local, Regional, and Federal Affairs coordinates the Council's relationships with the Congress, the federal executive branch and the D.C. Control Board. It also coordinates the Council’s relationships with regional authorities and regional public transportation agencies. Carol Schwartz is the Chair. Other members are Sharon Ambrose, Hilda H.M. Mason, Kathleen Patterson and Harry Thomas Sr. This Committee, unlike the other standing committees has no responsibility for oversight of the District’s executive agencies. The responsibilities of the other standing committees are described in the section on Operational and Oversight responsibilities.

Candidates for Council of the District of Columbia

As of April 15, the following Council Candidates had filed with the Board of Elections and Office of Campaign Finance.

Council Chair: Brian Williams (Soc.)

At-Large:

David A. Catania (Rep.)
Linda Moody (Dem.)
Olympia Newton (Soc.)
Don Reeves (Dem.)
Mark Thompson (Umoja)

Ward 1:

Nik Eames (Umoja)
Jim Graham (Dem.)
Scott T. McLarty (Green)
Frank Smith, Jr. (Dem.)

Ward 5: Harry L. Thomas, Sr. (Dem.)

Ward 6: Sharon Ambrose (Dem.)

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Operational and Oversight Responsibilities
Executive Agencies and Standing Committees of the District of Columbia Council — Who ya gonna call?

CONSUMER AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS:

regulation of commercial, occupational, professional, real estate and housing activities, including maintenance of housing stock and housing inspectors; consumer affairs; banking activities related to consumer affairs; and environmental matters related to consumer affairs.

Operational

Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA)

Director, W. David Watts 727-7170

The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, the District's largest regulatory agency, protects the health, safety and welfare of District residents and visitors by regulating business activities, land and building use, occupational and professional conduct, rental housing and condominiums, health and social service facilities, and the physical environment.

Other regulatory agencies include

• D.C. Boxing and Wrestling Commission
• Department of Insurance and Securities Regulation
• D.C. Board of Consumer Claims Arbitration
• Rental Housing Commission
• Other professional licensing boards
• Educational Institution Licensure Commission
• D.C. Public Service Commission
• Office of the People's Counsel
• Board of Medicine
• D.C. Housing Authority

Council Oversight: Committee on Consumer & Regulatory Affairs

Harold Brazil, Chr. 724-8174
Sandy Allen 724-8045
David A. Catania 724-7772
Jack Evans 724-8058
Frank Smith, Jr. 724-8179

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

economic, industrial and commercial development, tourism, cable television, industrial revenue bonds; regulation of banks; matters related to development of housing stock.

Operational

Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)

Director, Richard Montielh 535-1972

The Department of Housing and Community Development, the city's largest economic development agency, promotes economic development and job creation and develops affordable housing. Much of its work is carried out through grants and contracts awarded to Community Development Corporations and other community-based organizations.

Other economic development agencies and offices include

• District Economic Development Finance Corporation
• Business Incubator Advisory Board
• District Redevelopment Land Agency
• Convention Center Board of Directors
• Office of Tourism
• D.C. Committee to Promote Washington
• Washington Convention and Visitors Association
• Office of Banking and Financial Institutions
• Office of Cable Television
• Public Access Corporation
• D.C. Housing Finance Agency
• Minority Business Opportunity Commission
• Minority Business Development Component of the Department of Human Rights and Minority Business Development
• Sports Commission
• Housing Production Trust Fund Board

Council Oversight Committee on Economic Development

Charlene Drew Jarvis, Chr. 724-8052
Sandy Allen 724-8045
Harold Brazil 724-8174
Jack Evans 724-8058
Frank Smith, Jr. 724-8179

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EDUCATION, RECREATION AND LIBRARIES:

The Mayor and the Council of the District of Columbia are responsible for providing the funds to operate the D.C. Public Schools as well as the D.C. Public Library, the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) and the Department of Recreation.

Operational

Policy and personnel decisions for the Public Library and UDC are made by boards of trustees appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council. The Department of Recreation is an executive agency under the authority of the Mayor. “Control of the public schools in the District of Columbia is vested in a Board of Education,” by the Home Rule Charter. However, the Control Board (District of Columbia Financial Management Assistance Authority) has temporarily placed a Chief Executive Officer and an emergency Transitional Education Board of Trustees in control of the public schools.

District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), Chief Executive Officer, Arlene Ackerman 724-4222

The mission of the District of Columbia Public Schools is to provide a viable and comprehensive system of publicly supported education for students from pre-kindergarten through grade twelve. DCPS provides comprehensive programs at the elementary, junior and senior high levels. It also provides special educational services for students with special needs and career training opportunities for adults at career development centers.

University of the District of Columbia (UDC), President, Julius F. Nimmons, Jr. 274-5100

Department of Recreation, Director, Dr. Betty Jo Gaines 673-7665

The mission of the Department of Recreation and Parks is to provide quality leisure services to residents and visitors of the District of Columbia in safe, well-maintained parks and facilities. The Department operates year-round recreation centers and playgrounds, seasonal centers, swimming pools, day care sites, day and residential camps, senior citizen facilities as well as before and after school, therapeutic, and garden programs.

Public Library, Director, Mary Raphael 727-1101

Council Oversight Committee on Education, Libraries & Recreation

Kevin P. Chavous, Chr. 724-8068
Charlene Drew Jarvis 724-8052
Hilda H. M. Mason 724-8064
Kathleen Patterson 724-8062
Frank Smith, Jr. 724-8179
Harry Thomas, Sr. 724-8028

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FINANCE AND REVENUE:

Taxation and revenue for the District government; general obligation bonds and revenue anticipation notes.

Operational

Office of Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Anthony A. Williams 727-2476

The Office of Chief Financial Officer was created by the federal 1995 legislation that established the Control Board. The chief financial officers of each of the District's largest agencies report, not only to the directors of their agencies, but also to this office which is responsible for all financial operations of the District government. The Office of Chief Financial Officer includes four operating offices: Budget and Planning, Financial Operations and Systems, Finance and Treasury and Tax and Revenue.

Boards which have an impact on taxation and revenue include

• Board of Real Property Assessments and Appeals
• D.C. Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board

Council Oversight Committee on Finance & Revenue

Frank Smith, Jr., Chr. 724-8179
Harold Brazil 724-8174
Charlene Drew Jarvis 724-8052
Carol Schwartz 724-8105
Harry Thomas, Sr. 724-8028

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GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS:

Elections, general services, personnel, general administration of the D.C. government, and Advisory Neighborhood Commissions.

Operational

Office of Contracting and Procurement, Director, Richard P. Fite 727-0252

Office of Chief Technology Officer, Gary Maron 727-2277

Office of Personnel,  Gary Maron 727-2277

Department of Employment Services, Interim Director, Carolyn G. Jones 724-7100

Real Property and Asset Management Division, Dallas Evans 727-6053

Board of Elections and Ethics, Director, Alice Miller 727-2525

The Board of Elections and Ethics registers eligible residents to vote, conducts elections, and ensures the integrity of the electoral process.

Office of Campaign Finance, Director, Cecily Collier-Montgomery 939-8710

The Office of Campaign Finance regulates the conduct of political campaigns and monitors and enforces compliance with the D.C. Campaign Finance Reform and Conflict of Interest Act.

Other government operations include

• Office of the Mayor
• D. C. Retirement Board
• Office of the City Administrator
• Office of Latino Affairs
• Office of Employee Appeals
• Office of the Inspector General
• Secretary of the District of Columbia
• Commission on Latino Community Development
• Department of Human Rights
• Office of the Press Secretary
• Office of Intergovernmental Relations
• Office of Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining
• Commission for Women
• Apprenticeship Council
• Contract Appeals Board
• Commission on Human Rights
• Commission for Men

Council Oversight Committee on Government Operations

Kathleen Patterson, Chr. 724-8062
Sharon Ambrose 724-8072
Harold Brazil 724-8174
David A. Catania 724-7772
Carol Schwartz 724-8105

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HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES:

Social services, income support programs, health, cultural affairs, offices of aging and energy.

Operational

Department of Human Services, Director, Jearline F. Williams 279-0002

The Department of Human Services sets policy and administers the delivery of social and mental health services. The department also administers the District's program under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act and serves as the focal point for policy and implementation of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program within the District.

Department of Health, Director, Dr. Allan S. Noonan 645-5556

The Department of Health (DOH) sets policy and administers the delivery of health care services and District programs under Title XIX of the Social Security Act. Health care services are delivered through the Commission on Health Care Finance, the Commission on Public Health, and the Public Benefit Corporation. The department also serves as the focal point for polices affecting public health within the District.

Other human services agencies include

• Commission on the Arts and Humanities
• Commission on Aging
• D.C. General Hospital
• Office of Aging
• Office of Energy
• Health and Hospital Benefits Corporation

Council Oversight Committee on Human Services

Sandy Allen, Chr. 724-8045
Sharon Ambrose 724-8072
David A. Catania 724-7772
Hilda H. M Mason 724-8064
Kathleen Patterson 724-8062

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PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUSTICE:

protection of lives and property and maintenance of a safe and secure environment.

Operational

Metropolitan Police Department, Chief, Charles H. Ramsey 727-4218

The mission of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is to eliminate crime, fear of crime, and general disorder, while establishing respect and trust within the community. The department is organized into four service bureaus: Patrol Services, Human Resources, Technical Services and Administration.

Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, Chief, Donald Edwards 673-3320

The mission of the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department is to prevent fires before they occur, extinguish fires that do occur, and provide emergency medical and ambulance service. The work of the department is carried out through four major programs: fire fighting, emergency medical services, fire prevention, and staff services.

Other public safety and justice agencies include

• Office of Emergency Preparedness
• National Guard
• Board of Parole
• D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission
• Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure
• Office of the Corporation Counsel
• Public Defender Service
• D.C. Law Revision Commission
• Pretrial Services Agency
• Board of Appeals and Review
• D.C. Courts
• Department of Corrections
• Office of Criminal Justice Plans and Analysis
• Criminal Justice Supervisory Board
• Juvenile Justice Advisory Commission
• Child Support Guidelines Commission

Council Oversight Committee on the Judiciary

Jack Evans, Chr. 724-8058
Harold Brazil 724-8174
Kevin P. Chavous 724-8068
Hilda H. M. Mason 724-8064
Harry Thomas, Sr. 724-8028

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PUBLIC WORKS AND THE ENVIRONMENT:

Management and maintenance of public space and buildings, highways, and bridges; regulation of vehicles and traffic; recycling; management of solid waste, water supply, air and water quality and waste water treatment.

Operational

Department of Public Works (DPW), Director, Cellerino C. Bernadino 939-8000

The mission of the Department of Public Works is to provide an infrastructure which fosters a safe, sanitary and aesthetic environment, and the safe efficient movement of people, good, and information. The Department of Public Works delivers service through five business units: Solid Waste Management; Transportation Systems; Fleet-Management; Facilities Operations and Maintenance; and Design, Engineering, and Construction.

Other public works and environmental agencies and offices include

• Washington Aqueduct
• D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council
• Litter and Solid Waste Reduction Commission
• D.C. Taxicab Commission
• Soil and Water Conservation District
• Water and Sewer Authority

Council Oversight Committee on Public Works & Environment

Harry Thomas, Sr., Chr. 724-8028
Sandy Allen 724-8045
Sharon Ambrose 724-8072
Kevin P. Chavous 724-8068
Jack Evans 724-8058

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Key Dates for the 1998 Election

July 8 Deadline for Democratic, Republican, D.C. Statehood, and Umoja Party candidates to file petitions for September Primary

August 17 Deadline to register to vote in September Primary

August 26 Deadline for independents and minor party candidates for partisan offices and non-partisan candidates for the School Board to file petitions for November General Election

September 4 Deadline to file Advisory Neighborhood Commission petitions for November General Election

September 15 Primary Election

October 5 Deadline to register to vote in the November General Election

November 3 General Election

THE PRIMARY

The Primary on September 15 will determine the nominees of the Democratic, Republican, D.C. Statehood, and Umoja Parties for the following Offices

• Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives
• United States (Shadow) Representative
• Mayor of the District of Columbia
• Two At-Large Members of the Council of the District of Columbia
• Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia
• Ward 1 Member of the Council of the District of Columbia
• Ward 3 Member of the Council of the District of Columbia
• Ward 5 Member of the Council of the District of Columbia
• Ward 6 Member of the Council of the District of Columbia

THE GENERAL ELECTION

The General Election on November 3 will determine who will hold the following offices

• Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives
• United States (Shadow) Representative
• Mayor of the District of Columbia
• Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia
• Two At-Large Members of the Council of the District of Columbia
• Ward 1 Member of the Council of the District of Columbia
• Ward 3 Member of the Council of the District of Columbia
• Ward 5 Member of the Council of the District of Columbia
• Ward 6 Member of the Council of the District of Columbia
• At-large Member of the Board of Education
• Ward 2 Member of the Board of Education
• Ward 4 Member of the Board of Education
• Ward 7 Member of the Board of Education
• Ward 8 Member of the Board of Education
• 299 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners

Board of Elections and Ethics, 727-2525

Office of Campaign Finance, 939-8710